I first saw this set a few weeks ago. Passing it on the shelf, I decided yo pick it up. I was unaware that the retail price should be £17.99. I paid a cool, £12.99, so this was a bargain. Looking at from the box, I second checked it as it looks more like a cheaper alternative than Lego. This is due to the Mario Kart label down the side. Be assured that it is Lego! Having quite a few sets in the Mario range, I wanted this. I then learned that there is a Kong version, too! Mine!
Opening it up, they have used paper bagging, which is great, but there is a sticker sheet with four decals for the wheel centres. There is the usual start, with the minifigures being changed out for a sweet Toad figure.It comes together well but is not without a few issues. As a small note, the barcode sticker on the rear-box images, was annoying! The steering wheel is not fixed enough to support the hinged front-panel. If it pushed down too far, it will push the wheel off. I was also confused at why the one paper bag has a plastic small-parts baggy. What happened there?
The general build is all about building it up from a straight chassis. Most of it is exposed but has been well designed to fit the parameters of the franchise. It has a little pit-computer, but I have seen that there is also a full pit area set that can be purchased. There is a pew-pew on the side for firing the shells at your competitors, but also has a slippery banana to take them off of the track. I am unsure at how the key-figures will sit in it. Let’s face it, it’s all down to the epic-flaming-exhaust-pipes on the back…it screams POWER!
What I do love is how it looks, the specific shell parts and the cool glider-wing for the top. It is wise to also mention the wheels. They are of a solid plastic and fit the style of the karts, perfectly. There’s no doubt that at full price, it is of an average licensed set. The price I paid was great and you should definitely pick it up! As a familiar vehicle, there are many, young and old, that would adore this as a gift. The next thing to do is to check the electronic figures on it. It has the usual ‘barcode’ tiles that can interact with them. Look for the Kong set in the future.
First Impressions – A piece of modern art. If you like Mario, it’s a must!
Price-Point – Average
Time to Build – 40-50 Minutes
Score: 8/10
(All details were correct at the time of writing, 19th March ‘2025)
